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High-profile autism genetics project paused amid backlash

Study aimed at collecting DNA from 10,000 autistic people and their families has drawn criticism for failing to consult the autism community.
  1. Katharine Sanderson

    1. Katharine Sanderson is a freelance journalist based in Cornwall, UK.

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A large, UK-based study of genetics and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been paused, following criticism that it failed to properly consult the autism community about the goals of the research. Concerns about the study include fears that its data could potentially be misused by other researchers seeking to ‘cure’ or eradicate ASD.

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Nature 598, 17-18 (2021)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-02602-7

Updates & Corrections

  • Clarification 29 September 2021: This article has been amended to use the identity-first language ‘autistic people’.

  • Clarification 04 October 2021: The story has been modified to make clear that certain criticisms of the Spectrum 10K study stem from some, but not all, in the autism community.

  • Clarification 07 October 2021: The word ‘suspended’ has been removed from the story to avoid ambiguity; the Spectrum 10K study was voluntarily paused by the research team.

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